Saturday, January 8, 2011

Based on a character created in 1928 by Philip Francis Nowlan, Glen A. Larson's Buck Rogers in the 25th Century TV series starred Gil Gerard in the titular sci-fi role.

Original costume, helmet and prop from

Buck Rogers in the 25th Century TV show

A feature-length pilot about the NASA pilot accidentally frozen for over 500 years and waking up in the far future, was released theatrically in March 1979 (capitalising on the success of Star Wars two years earlier), and spawned a television show which lasted for two seasons from 1979 to 1981.

These authentic items used in the production of the television series were photographed on display at Universal Studios Hollywood on January 7, 2011.

Buck Rogers in the 25h Century TV poster

Twiki robot helmet and face worn in Buck Rogers

'Twiki' was 'Buck Rogers' robotic sidekick and often wore the computer intelligence 'Dr. Theopolis' around his neck.

Felix Silla was the actor behind the mask in the robot suit, but Mel Blanc provided his voice for the majority of the series, aside from in the second season when he was voiced briefly in a few episodes by Bob Elyea.

Twiki's catchphrase was 'bidi-bidi-bidi'.

Futuristic rifle prop used in Buck Rogers and the 25th Century

Apparently some of the laser guns and rifles used in Buck Rogers were originally used by villains in the original Battlestar Galactica along with other props, spaceships and outfits from Glen Larson's other sci-fi show.

Dress uniform jacket worn by Gil Gerard as Buck Rogers

Al Lehman was mainly responsible for Costume Design for the series, along with Jean-Pierre Dorleac and Sal Anthony on other episodes.